Frederick, MD – Over the past several years, the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) developed its digital flight planning tools into a suite of products that put flight planning capability, airport directory information and aviation weather in pilots’ hands. AOPA partnered with Seattle Avionics to create FlyQ EFB, an electronic flight bag (EFB) iPad application, and FlyQ Pocket, a smartphone application.

Shortly after joining AOPA last fall, President Mark Baker began a review of AOPA’s member benefits and products, which included an assessment of where members believe AOPA should spend resources in regards to flight planning benefits.

As a result, AOPA has decided to exit the EFB market, and will develop a distinct smartphone application focusing on content and functions driven by member needs. The new smartphone application will remain a free member benefit.

FlyQ EFB and FlyQ Pocket have proven to be popular applications among pilots and have enjoyed high user ratings. AOPA and Seattle Avionics are working to ensure subscribers and users will experience a smooth transition with all products and services affected by the changes noted in this announcement.

“We are excited about continuing these two great products and have appreciated our partnership with AOPA. We strongly believe that pilots will benefit from the new directions we’ll take the apps,” said Steve Podradchik, CEO of Seattle Avionics.

AOPA will transfer all responsibility for FlyQ EFB to Seattle Avionics in September 2014, at which time Seattle Avionics will also undertake all marketing, customer support and further development of the app. FlyQ Pocket will be offered solely by Seattle Avionics after the AOPA/Seattle Avionics contract ends in February 2015. The only change FlyQ EFB subscribers and FlyQ Pocket users should notice is that AOPA’s logo and name will no longer be coupled with either product.

AOPA’s replacement smartphone application will be available for members in 2015.

AOPA will communicate with the users of each product over the course of the transition to ensure all important information is communicated and questions answered.

About AOPA

Since 1939, AOPA has protected the freedom to fly for thousands of pilots, aircraft owners and aviation enthusiasts. AOPA is the world’s largest aviation member association. With representatives based in Frederick, Md., Washington, D.C., and seven regions across the United States, AOPA provides member services that range from advocacy at the federal, state, and local levels to legal services, flight planning products, safety programs and award-winning media products. To learn more, visit www.aopa.org.